Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has criticized President Tinubu’s tax reform bills, claiming they would disadvantage northern Nigeria and other regions while benefiting Lagos State. Zulum urged Tinubu to reconsider, emphasizing the North’s significant electoral support.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has raised concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills, warning that they could hinder development in northern Nigeria and other regions, while disproportionately benefiting Lagos State.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Zulum highlighted that the reforms would not only create challenges for the North but also impact other regions, including the South-East, South-South, and parts of the South-West like Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo States.
“We rejected the tax reform bill because it will bring backwardness to the North and other regions, leaving only Lagos State to benefit,” Zulum stated.
The governor urged President Tinubu to reconsider the bills, reminding him that the North contributed significantly to his electoral victory, with 60% of his votes coming from the region.
Zulum also dismissed claims that the northern population does not support Tinubu, urging the president to listen to genuine concerns about the reforms and withdraw the proposed legislation for further review.
Zulum’s remarks have sparked discussions across political and economic circles. Critics argue that the proposed tax structure could deepen regional inequalities, favoring economically advanced states like Lagos at the expense of less developed areas.
Supporters of the bill, however, maintain that the reforms aim to streamline Nigeria’s tax system, improve revenue generation, and reduce dependency on federal allocations.
Governor Zulum emphasized the importance of engaging all regions in discussions about the tax reforms to ensure balanced development and fairness. “We are not against Lagos, but we must ensure no region is left behind,” he concluded.
